Device for sampling molten metal



Dec. 10, 1968 w. J. COLLINS DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 24, 1964 INVENTOR. WILLIAM J. COLL/N5 1 I, I Q M ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1968 J. COLLINS DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 24, 196-4 .5 mm L WL B 0 V C mJ M m L m United States Patent 3,415,125 DEVICE FOR SAMPLING MOLTEN METAL William J. Collins, 7005 Madison St., Merrillville, Ind. 46307 Continuation of application Ser. No. 391,654, Aug. 24, 1964. This application May 12, 1967, Ser. No. 649,764 23 Claims. (Cl. 73425.6)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for obtaining samples from molten metal. A sample chamber fixed to thelowermost end of a handle is closed by a fusible plug and provides a tortuous path through which the molten metal flows when the device is immersed in the metal to be sampled. The tortuous path leads to a frangible tube open at its upper end. The frangible tube is surrounded by material which hastens the solidification of the molten metal.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 391,654, filed Aug. 24, 1964, now abandoned.

The subject relates generally to means utilized in conjunction with testing equipment and more particularly is directed to a device which is adapted for use in obtaining a sample of molten metal from a chamber for analysis.

The device may be employed wherever applicable and has proven very efiicient and reliable in obtaining samples of molten metal for chemical analysis of all of its elements including the amount of gases, such as oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen contained therein may be ascertained. The sample may be obtained from any chamber such as an open hearth furnace, a basic oxygen vessel, electric furnace or related metal making facility. The sample obtained may also be tested to determine its physical characteristics.

With the foregoing in mind, one of the important objects of the subject invention is to provide a device whereby a representative sample of a liquid, such as molten metal, may be readily obtained so that a correct or accurate analysis can be made, as distinguished from some procedures which fail to produce a representative sample for testing.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device embodying improved principles of design and construction whereby the sample or specimen obtained by the device is deoxidized in order to condition the specir men for analysis. More specifically in this respect, a quantity of a fusible element, such as aluminum and constituting deoxidizing means and a quantity of the specimen have been predetermined or proportioned whereby the specimen is substantially completely deoxidized.

A significant object of the invention is to provide an improved method whereby the molten metal may be deoxidized or conditioned while it is being received by the device.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device which, among other things, comprises an outer protective tubular housing; means disposed in the housing for receiving the molten metal; supporting means, such as a mass of earthen material, which surrounds and supports the receiving means in the housing; means communicatively connected with the receiving means and providing an upper or escape chamber; means providing a lower entrance structure or chamber means communicating with the receiving means, means disposed in relation to the entrance structure for deoxidizing the molten metal prior to its entry into the receiving means, the escape chamber affording a vent to permit release of air from the receiving means upon introduction of the molten metal thereto.

Another object is to provide means within the outer housing which assists in stabilizing an upper extremity of the supporting means for the receiving means, as well as in defining the upper or escape chamber.

A specific object of the invention is to provide means within the escape chamber whereby to retard or stop the flow of metal into this chamber while permitting release of the air therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a setup in which the lower entrance structure is preferably comprised of a plurality of chambers having partitions or walls therebetween which are respectively provided with ports or apertures which are preferably so disposed that the molten metal, upon being successively received in the chambers will be caused to flow in what may be termed a tortuous path in order to create turbulence and thereby promote mixing of the deoxidizing means with the molten metal prior to its introduction into the receiving means.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a lower chamber structure which is preferably comprised of a plurality of nested metal cups which are preferably held together in a pressed sealed relationship with respect to one another and in sealed relationship to the receiving means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lower chamber structure, receiving means and supporting means therefor, which are operatively connected to provide a subassembly which may be installed in the outer protective housing or support by merely pressing the subassembly into place in such a manner that rim portions of the cup members will automatically force themselves into indenting relationship with the interior cylindrical surface of the outer housing, and thereby lock the subassembly in the desired operation position therein.

Also, an important object of the subject invention is to provide a device of the general character above referred to in which the lower chamber structure is preferably provided with a cap which is connected to the lowermost of the cup members of the chamber structure in order to protect this lower cup which preferably carries the deoxidizing means.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means whereby to protect at least a portion of the outer housing so as to prevent the housing, if it is deteriorated during immersion in molten metal, from contaminating the specimen adapted to be received by the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sampling device whereby an outer housing thereof is completely protected or shielded so that the housing will not explode or cause contamination of the specimen when the device is dipped into molten metal.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a wand provided with a socket or receiving structure and the socket and an end of a sampling device are so designed and constructed that one end of the device may be readily detachably held in the socket whereby to facilitate manipulation of the device and, at the same time, promote safety.

Additional objects reside in providing a device which offers advantages with respect to manufacture and assembly, efficiency, durability, safety and destruction whereby to obtain access to the recovered specimen.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a horizontal sectional view of the device, with an end portion broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a view showing a specimen recovered from the device;

FIGURE 6 is a view showing at least one mode of manipulating the device for use in obtaining a specimen from a vessel of molten metal, with only a portion of the vessel being shown;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section of a modified form of device;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a view showing a specimen obtained through the agency of the device;

FIGURE 10 is a portion of the specimen illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a partial vertical sectional view of another modified form of sampling device;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of a further modified form of sampling device; and

FIGURE 13 is a partial view of a Wand having a fitting, shown in section, for detachably receiving an end of the device depicted in FIGURE 12.

The device may be designed and constructed as exemplified in FIGURES 1 through 6, as in FIGURES 7 through 10, FIGURES 11, 12 and 13 or in other ways as will be alluded to hereinafter. The structure illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 6 will now be described.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, the device preferably comprises an outer elongate cylindrical tubular housing or jacket 1, an inner elongate cylindrical tubular cas- 1 ing 2 surrounding a mass of insulating material 3, an elongate cylindrical tubular member 4 substantially surrounded and carried by the mass and having an upper end 5 extending beyond the mass, a cylindrical tubular part 6 having a lower extremity surrounding an upper extremity of the casing 2 and an upper extremity extending therebeyond and about the end 5 of the member 4 to define a relief or escape chamber 7 which preferably contains a. fibrous mass of material 8, and a socket 9 for detachably receiving an offset 10 of a Wand 11 whereby the device may be manipulated.

The device shown in FIGURE 1 also preferably includes a plurality of stacked cups or members 12, 13 and 14, an end cap or cup 15, a mass of high temperature cement 16 in the cup 12, and a fusible element 17 carried by the cup 14. The aforesaid components or parts will be described more in detail subsequently.

The outer housing 1 may be designed and constructed as desired but is referably made from heavy cardboard so as to provide a rigid unit for protecting the inner structure substantially contained therein from the high temperature of the molten metal bath for a time sufiicient to obtain the sample or specimen. This housing may be made in any size but preferably has an outside diameter of two and one sixteenth of an inch, an inside diameter of one and five sixteenths of an inch to provide a wall thickness of three eighths of an inch, and a length of thirty-four inches. The aforesaid wall thickness has proven satisfactory in use and the length in addition to affording sutficient space for the inner structure, serves to provide the socket 9, above referred to, so that a standard or conventional one inch pipe, of which the wand 11 is made, may be readily and snugly detachably received in the socket whereby. to facilitate manipulation of the device. The wand is preferably of a length in the neighborhood of ten feet to promote safety in dipping of the device, for example, into a molten steel bath 18 contained in a vessel 19, for penetration through a slag covering or layer 20 to a depth of about fifteen or twenty inches as depicted in FIGURE 6.

The tubular member 4 and mode of mounting or supporting the same will now be described. This member may be designed and constructed from any material and in any shape suitable for the purpose and provides a chamber or mold for receiving a quantity of the molten metal. More specifically, the member is preferably made from a glass known as Pyrex which will withstand high temperatures. The use of glass has proven particularly advantageous because it can be readily broken to obtain access to the solidified sample following recovery. The length of the member may be varied depending on the type or character of sample or specimen desired. The diameter of the member is preferably ten millimeters or under in order to promote controlled cooling of the sampie. The member may be internally tapered.

The glass tube 4 is preferably supported or imbedded in a diagonal position in the mass of material 3 which serves to protect and impart stability to the tube as well as support it within the confines of the outer casing 1. The mass 3 may be any material suitable for the purpose. Material, such as plaster of paris, has proven very satisfactory in use and in order to facilitate imbedment or moulding of the tube 4 in the mass, the latter is preferably molded from a plastic or flowable condition into a solid within the confines of the cylindrical tubular casing 2 as shown in the drawings.

The lower end of the casing 2 and the lower end of the glass tube 4 are preferably secured and sealed into the uppermost cup 12 by utilizing the mass of high temperature cement 16 which surrounds the lower ends of the tube and casing in such a manner that the end of the tube 4 extends through an aperture or port 22 provided in a bottom wall 23 of the cup 12. This opening has an axis which is spaced from the center of the wall.

The cement 16 is preferably of a refractory character and offers protection or insulation against the high temperature of the molten metal and promotes its upward fiow into the tube 4, and the same is generally true of the mass 3. Otherwise expressed, the masses 3 and 16 serve to insulate and protect the glass tube and constitute a means whereby to promote or encourage uniform cooling of the molten metal as it travels upwardly in the tube.

The cup 13 is preferably connected to the uppermost cup 12 by a telescoping pressed fit so that the cups 12 and 13 are positioned in a nested sealing relationship and define a chamber 24, with the bottom wall 23 of the member 12 being disposed in axially spaced relationship to a bottom wall 25 of the cup 13. The bottom wall 25 constitutes a partition provided with an aperture or port 26 having an axis disposed in a position spaced from its center.

The cup 14 is preferably adapted to be connected to the cup 13 in a mode corresponding to that connecting the cups 12 and 13 and it has a bottom wall 27 constituting a partition provided with an aperture or port 28 having an axis disposed in a spaced relation to the center of this wall. The fusible means or element 17, above referred to, is preferably made of aluminum and is preferably secured in the aperture 28 by a peening or upsetting operation. It will be observed that the bottom wall 27 of the cup 14 is disposed in axially spaced relationship to the wall 25 of the cup 13 and that these cups define a chamber 29.

The cap 15, above referred to, is also preferably made in the form of a cup and is preferably adapted to be press fitted into nesting relationship with the cup 14 and defines in combination therewith a chamber 30. This cap is preferably made of metal of such a character that it will at least become partially disintegrated or ruptured when immersed in the molten metal. In order to facilitate attachment of the cap to the cup 14, the bottom wall of the cap is preferably provided with a relatively small aperture 31 constituting a vent to permit the release of air from the chamber 30 when the cap 15 is pressed onto the cup.

Attention is directed to the fact that the glass tube 4 is secured in an inclined position in the mass 3; that the lower end of the glass tube-4 and the opening 22 in the bottom wall 23 of the cup 12 are both generally aligned with the opening 28 and the fusible means 17, and that the opening 26 in the bottom wall or partition 25 of the cup 13 is disposed in a staggered or off-center position with respect to the axes of the openings 22 and 28 so that when the cap 15 is disintegrated orotherwise rup tured by the molten metal, the latter will melt the element 17 and thereby allow the metal-to successively flow in a tortuous path through the aperture 28 into the chamber 29, the aperture or port 26 into the chamber 24 and thence upwardly into the glass tube 4 and out its upper end 5 into or-against the fibrous mass or baflie S. The element 17 serves to deoxidize the molten metal received in the tube or receiving means 4 or that amount of metal which is-expected to form the final specimen. It is believed that this deoxidation serves to promote homogeneity. The metal is deoxidized in the chamber 29 and is mixed by turbulence in the chamber 24 prior to entry in the tube 4. Attention is also directed to the fact that the cup members 12, 13, 14 and'the cap 15 constitute a fabricated lower chamber structure and that this structure including the casing 2, mass 3 and glass tube 4 are all connected together to preferably provide a subassemblyor unit which is adapted to be pressed into .connectionwith the outer housing 1 of the-device. More specifically in this regard, the unit or subassembly is adapted to be pressed into the housing insuch a manner that sharp edges of rims 31 formed On the cups 12, 13 and 14 will automatically bite or indent themselves into the material defining the internal cylindrical surface of the housing to lock the subassembly in a desired operative position as exemplified in FIGURE -1 of the drawings. The cap 15 may be attached to the cup 14 before the subassembly or unit is pressed into connection with the housing as just described, but it is preferably applied to the cup 14- after the other components of the unit have been mounted in the housing. Obviously, the unit may be secured or mounted in other ways. For example, it may be cemented in place.

Referring now to the procedure in obtaining or recovering a specimen, the preferredmethod comprises plunging or dipping the device into the molten bath, through the layer.of slag or impurities so that the lower end of the device is below the layer as evidenced in FIGURE 6. The long wand 11 is utilized to manipulate the device and the device is preferably held in the bath for a very brief period of time, for example, a period of from threeto ten seconds which causes the cap 15 to be blown free, or otherwisedisintegrate or rupture, due to the expanding trapped air in the chamber 30, resulting from the enormous temperature change from, for example, from seventy degrees to twenty-nine hundred degrees Fahrenheit of the metal bath. The cap and mass of cement 16 serve to momentarilyinsulate the interior of the device as it is being inserted into the molten metal and the cap protects the device against the premature admission of any slag and/ or any other surface impurities until the lower end of the device is well below the layer 20. Asthe cup disintegrates or otherwise enables the molten metal to melt the element 17, the latter dilfuses'into the molten metal for deoxidizing the same and the two are mixed or conditioned as they successively tor'tuously flow through the apertures or port 28, chamber 29, port 26 and chamber 24 into the glass tube '4. Deoxidation substantially occurs in the chamber '29 and the mixing substantially in the chamber 24,'although some mixing does occur in the chamber 29 prior to entry of the metal into the chamber. The metal thu s treated, conditioned or deoxidized fiows upwardly through the tube and against the fibrous or baffle means 8 in the upper chamber 7, allowing air to passthrough the fibrous means while substantially preventing any great 'quantity of metal to flow into the chamber. After a few secondsor a sufficient time interval has elapsed in order to permit filling of the tube 4, the device is quickly lifted from the bath of molten metal and then may be subjected to a cooling medium, such as cold water, a blast of cool air or it may be placed on a work bench and allowed to cool. In any event, the specimen retrieved from the molten bath is not utilized until after it has solidified and cooled to such an extent that it can be operated on for analysis. It is desirable that the analysis of the specimen be obtained expeditiously so that it may be quickly analyzed in order to determine or ascertain whether the molten metal is in accord with predetermined specifications or requirements. If, for example, the specimen indicates that the molten metal is not of the character desired, then the metal in the vessel 19 may be modified or changed. In some instances, it may become necessary to obtain more than one sample or specimen of the molten metal before the latter is brought upto a required standard.

The device, upon being subjected to the molten metal, is damaged to the extent that at least a portion of the outer housing is burned away, charred or disintegrated sothat, in some instances, a portion of the mass of material disposed about the glass tube may be visible. Also, the cap 15, in some instances, may be completely disintegrated into the molten metal and in other instances, a portion of the cap may still remain attached to the cup 14. Moreover, in some instances, portions ofthe cups 13 and 14 may disintegrate. In other words, the disintegration or destruction of various components of the device is dependent to their design and construction, the temperature of the molten metal, and the time that the device is held in the latter.

After the device is removed from the molten bath, the outer housing is cut or otherwise broken apart to obtain the subassembly, after which the tubular part 6, fibrous material 8, mass 3, tube 4, cement 16 and cups 13 and 14 may be removed in any mode or order desired so that there remains a specimen having an elongate cylindrical portion 32, an end portion 33 and a pair of joined enlarged end portions 34 and 35 as exemplified in FIG- URE 5.- The end portion 33 is formed by-metal entering the chamber 7 and the end portions 34 and 35 by the chambers 24 and 29. Any portion of the specimen may be utilized for analysis, but the portion 32 which was formed within the confines of the glass tube is preferably utilized after the end portions 33, 34 and 35 are removed as indicated by the dotted lines.

The modified form of device exemplified in FIGURES 7 through 10 of the drawing will now be described. This device, except for an upper part or extremity of the subassembly, substantially cor-responds to the deviceillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 6 of the drawing.

More particularly, the modified form of device includes an outer housing 50, tubular casing 51, a mass 53 and a glass tube 54 which substantially respectively correspond to the outer housing 1, tubular casing 2, mass 3 and glass tube 4 of the first-described device. Also, the modified device includes a tubular part 55,'a fibrous means or bafile 56 and a socket 57 which more or less correspond to the tubular part 6, fibrous means 8 and socket 9 of the first-described device. Moreover, the modified device includes a mass of high temperature cement 58, cup members 59, 60, 61 and amp 62 which substantially respectively correspond to the high temperature cement 16, cups 12, 13, 14 and the cap 15 of the first-described device. The cap 62 is referably provided with a small aperture 62' which serves the same purpose as the aperture 31' in the first-described device.

The primary difference between the modified device and the one first described, as alluded to above, resides in the upper extremity or part of the subassembly or unit which is mounted in the outer housing. More specifically in this respect, it will be observed that the tubular casing 51, containing the masses 53 and 58, is preferably made somewhat longer than the casing 2 in the first-described device and that the tubular part 55 is inset with respect to the upper end of the casing 51. It will also be noted that a mass of cement 63 is disposed in the upper end of the tubular casing 51 and surrounds an upper end of the glass tube 54 and that a small box-like structure 64 is also disposed in this tubular casing 51 and has an inner end which is preferably secured in place by the cement so that the interior or a chamber 65 of the structure is communicatively connected with the tube 54. The structure 64 may be designed and constructed in various ways and its inner end may be open before sealing by the cement, or it may have an inner end wall provided with an aperture for receiving the end of the glass tube. Also, it will be observed that the structure 64 has a top wall 66 provided with a plurality of holes 67. The chamber 65 is substantially air tight except for the holes 67 and serves as an escape or relief for any air that flows upwardly as the molten metal rises in the glass tube 54. It will be further observed that the mass of fibrous material 56, which may be steel wool, is disposed in the tubular casing 51 and bears against the upper or outer end wall 66 of the structure 64 as clearly shown. The air may escape through the apertures 67 into the fibrous material for venting the chamber 65 when the molten metal is received in the latter from the glass tube 54. The tubular casing 51 provides a chamber for the cement 63, structure 64 and the fibrous material 56. The structure 64 is preferably of a size so that four of its corners may more or less engage an inner cylindrical peripheral surface of the casing as depicted in FIGURE 8.

The specimen obtained by using the modified device is preferably of the character exemplified in FIGURE 9 of the drawing. More specifically in this respect, the sample includes an elongate cylindrical portion 68 having an upper enlarged integral portion 69 conforming in shape to that of the chamber 65 and enlarged portions 70 and '71 conforming to the character of chambers formed by the cup members 60 and 61. Any portion of the specimen may be utilized for analysis. For example, the elongate cylindrical portion 68 may be used or, if desired, the enlarged portion 69 may be removed from the portion 68 for analysis, as shown in FIGURE 10.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that two different devices have been exemplified for the purpose of facilitating the removal of specimens or samples of molten metal for chemical analysis or any other character of analysis desired. The devices have proven very successful in obtaining substantially pure specimens of molten metal and have been accepted by the industry.

Referring now to the modified sampling device illustrated in FIGURE 11 of the drawing, attention is directed to the fact that the device substantially corresponds to the two forms above described and includes additional means preferably in a form of a sleeve or ferrule 100. More particularly, the device illustrated in FIGURE 11 includes all of the components or parts of the device shown in FIGURE 1, including a tubular housing 101, cups 102, 103, 104 and cap 105. The ferrule 100 preferably includes a cylindrical portion provided with a flanged edge portion 106 and an end wall 107 having an opening therein whereby to accommodate the cup 104. The opening in the end wall 107 of the ferrule is preferably flanged as indicated at 108. The arrangement is preferably such that when the inner structure of the sampling device, including the cups are mounted in the housing 101, the ferrule is press fitted onto the housing 101 so that the end wall 107 of the ferrule will engage an annular end surface 109 of the housing. The flange 106 of the ferrule serves to facilitate the accommodation of the lower end of the housing into the ferrule.

Attention is directed to the fact that the flange 108 is preferably of such a character that when the ferrule is pressed onto the housing, the flange will intimately engage the outer periphery of the cup 104.

Attention is further directed to the fact that after the ferrule is mounted on the housing, the cap 105 is then preferably press fitted onto the cup 104 so that an annular bead 110 on the cap will intimately engage the outer Cir periphery of the cup 104 as well as the flange 108 on the ferrule. With this unique organization, a multiplicity of scaled connections or fits are established whereby to protect or shield an end portion of the housing 101 so that such portion is protected against deterioration by the molten metal and thereby prevent contamination of the specimen. In other words, the ferrule serves to prevent any charred or fibrous material which might break away from the housing from contaminating the specimen as it enters the tube of the inner structure of the device.

The structure illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13 includes a device generally designated 200 and a wand 201 provided with a fitting 202 having a socket 203 therein which receives an end of the device. Detachability between the device and fitting may be accomplished in various ways but, as illustrated in FIGURE 12, for example, an internal annular surface of the socket 203 is provided with a depression or annular groove 204 which is adapted to detachably receive a detent 205 projecting laterally from a split cylindrical portion of a cylindrical sleeve 206 surrounding a housing 207. The internal structure of the sampling device, includes cups 208, 209, 210 and a cap 211. It will be noted that the cups are all located externally of the housing as distinguished from the organization above described. It will also be observed that the sleeve 206 is of an appreciable length or at least of a length which is suflicient to preferably receive all of the inner components of the sampling device, including a portion of the cup 210. This sleeve serves the same purpose as the ferrule or sleeve utilized in conjunction with the device shown in FIGURE 11, but is more inclusive insofar as affording a complete shield or guard for confining and protecting the internal structure of the sampling device.

Attention is directed to the fact that the housing 207 may be constructed of any material desired. For example, it may be made of a ceramic or earthen material or of fiber such as cardboard. In any event, the sleeve 206 serves to protect the inner structure and particularly the housing 207 so that the latter will not contaminate the specimen to be recovered by the device. Moreover, the sleeve 206 serves to protect a worker because. in some instances, the outer housing 207 when not confined, explodes or disintegrates and causes the molten metal to splash and effect serious injuries. The use of the sleeve prevents the foregoing from happening and an extremely long wand, such as 201, also assists in keeping the device away from the worker while in the act of recovering a specimen of the molten metal.

The sleeve is preferably adapted to be press fitted into telescoping relation with the housing 207 so that an inturned marginal edge portion 212 of the sleeve will intimately engage,- an outer peripheral surface of the cup 210, after which the cap 211 is preferably press fitted onto the cup 210 so that an annular bead 213 of the cap will intimately engage the edge portion 212 of the sleeve, the purpose of which is to more or less provide a double seal between the sleeve 206 and the cup 210.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may he made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements, and combinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described, said device comprising a housing, frangible means highly resistant to heat disposed in said housing having an entrance for receiving a liquid having a high temperature and a vent for communication with the atmosphere, means in said housing substantially surrounding and supporting said entrance at a lower part of said housing, and an upper part of said housing being provided with means for attaching a handle thereto to facilitate dipping the device into a liquid.

2. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an elongate tubular housing, means highly resistant to heat disposed in said housing and having an opening for receiving a liquid having a high temperature and a vent for communication with the atmosphere, means in said housing substantially surrounding and supporting, said opening at a lower extremity of said housing, meltable means .carried by said device whereby .at least a quantity thereof upon melting will be caused to mix with the liquid prior to its reception in said receiving means, and an upper extremity of said housing being provided with means for attaching a handle thereto to facilitate dipping of the device into aliquid.

3. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an elongate outer tubular housing, a cup secured in one end of said housing and provided with an aperture, an elongate tube having one end disposed in said cup for receiving a fluid, means disposed in said cup and surrounding said end of said tube serving to seal said end in said cup and place it in communication with said aperture, a mass disposed substantially about the remainder of said tube, an elongate tubular casing substantially surrounding said mass of material and having an end disposed in said cup and about said end of said tube, a tubular member arranged in said housing at a location spaced longitudinally from said cup and disposed about at least a portion of said mass, said tubular casing and tube and forming a chamber, and baflle means disposed in said chamber whereby to substantially prevent entry of a fluid into said chamber while allowing air to escape therebeyond.

4. A device of the character described comprising a protective outer housing, an inner tube disposed in said housing, a mass of material highly resistant to heat deterioration disposed in said housing and supporting said inner tube, means disposed within the confines of said housing providing an upper chamber communicatively connected with an upper end of said inner tube, and means defining a second chamber communicatively connected with a lower end of said inner tube for initially receiving a liquid for transmission into said tube and upper chamber.

5. The device defined in claim 4, including means for conditioning the fluid in said second chamber prior to its reception in said tube.

6. The device defined in claim 4, including baflle means disposed in said upper chamber in relation to an upper end of said inner tube whereby to retard the flow of liquid into said chamber.

7. A device of the character described comprising a. protective housing, means supported in said housing providing a longitudinal tubular frangible structure, a pair of chambers respectively provided at the ends of said tubular structure, and a passageway in said structure connecting said pair of chambers, said passageway being of a size whereby a liquid may flow from one chamber to 'the other through said passageway and may solidify in said other chamber.

8. A subassembly adapted for mounting in an outer tubular housing, said subassembly comprising a first cup having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a second cup connected to said first cup defining in combination therewith a first chamber and having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a third cup connected to said second cup defining in combination therewith a second chamber and having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a fusible element secured in said opening of said third cup, a cap connected to said third cup, an elongate tube having an end disposed in said first cup, a mass of material disposed about said tube, a tubular casing surrounding said mass and having an end disposed in said first cup, means disposed in said first cup surrounding said ends of said tube and casing for securing said end of said tube in relation to said opening in said first cup, said tube having an opposite end extending beyond said mass and an opposite end of said casing, a tubular part disposed about said opposite ends of said casing and said tube and at least a portion of said mass and defining a chamber about said opposite end of said tube, and baflle means disposed in said chamber.

9. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an outer elongate tubular non-metallic housing, means highly resistant to heat disposed in a lower extremity of said housing for receiving a liquid having a high temperature, means in said housing substantially surrounding and supporting said receiving means, means for conditioning a liquid when it flows into said receiving means, sleeve means surrounding and protecting said lower extremity of said tubular housing, said upper extremity having an operiend forming a socket for receiving a handle whereby said lower extremity may be dipped into a liquid.

10.. Means constituting a subassembly for a device of the kind described, said means comprising a plurality of cup-like members secured together in a nesting relationship to define a plurality of chambers with a bottom wall of one member constituting a partition between said chambers, said partition being provided with an opening, and meltable means closing said opening and when melted serving to communicatively connect said chambers through said opening.

11. A device of the kind described comprising a tubular support, a glasstube mounted within the confines of said support, means in said support providing a chamber communicatively connected with an upper end of said tube, and means carried by said support providing a plurality of chambers consecutively connected with each other and with a lower end of said tube, said tube being of a size whereby a liquid may flow from said plurality of chambers to said first-mentioned chamber via said tube.

12. Means constituting a subassembly for use in a sampling device, said means comprising a plurality of cup members secured together in a nesting relationship to define a plurality of chambers with at least some of the bottom walls of said members constituting partitions between said chambers, said partitions being provided with apertures arranged in a staggered relationship so that a fluid, in flowing through the chambers, will be caused to take a tortuous path, and a meltable element disposed in at least one of said apertures for diflusion into a fluid.

13. A device of the kind described comprising an outer elongate housing, a first structure comprised of a plurality of walls defining a plurality of communicatively connected chambers, at least a portion of said structure being disposed in said housing, elongate tubular means disposed in said housing, means supporting said tubular means so that one end of the latter is communicatively connected with said chambers, a second structure disposed in said housing in spaced relation to said first structure and defining a chamber communicatively connected with an opposite end of said tubular means, means for supporting said second structure in sealing relationship with said opposite end of said tubular means, said second structure being provided with at least one aperture for venting its chamber, and baifie means disposed in relation to said aperture.

14. A subassembly adapted for mounting in an outer tubular housing, said subassembly comprising a first cup having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a second cup connected to said first cup defining in combination therewith a first chamber and having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a third cup connected to said second cup defining in combination therewith a second chamber and having a bottom wall provided with an opening, a fusible element secured in said opening of said third cup, a cap casing and defining a third chamber communicating with an opposite end of said tube, means disposed in said casing for securing said structure in said tube and in sealed relation to said opposite end of said tube, said structure being provided with a vent, bafile means disposed in said casing across said vent, and a tubular part surrounding said casing, said opposite end of said tube and at least a portion of said structure.

15. A subassembly for use in a sampling device of the kind described, said subassembly comprising a plurality of members assembled together to define a pairiof chambers having a pair of axially spaced bottom walls and a partition therebetween, said bottom walls being respectively provided with apertures and said partition being provided with an opening misaligned with respect to said apertures and establishing communication between said chambers, and a meltable element carried by one of the members and closing the aperture therein.

16. A subassembly for use in a fluid sampling device, said subassembly comprising a cup having a bottom wall provided with an aperture, elongate tubular means for receiving a flowable material having an end disposed in said cup and aperture, a mass of material disposed in said cup and surrounding said end of said tubular means for maintaining said cup and tubular means assembled and said end in said aperture, and a non-metallic tubular housing surrounding said subassembly and provided with means whereby a handle may be attached thereto for dipping said subassembly and housing into a fluid.

17. The subassembly defined in claim 16, including a second cup secured to said first-mentioned cup and defining in combination therewith a chamber communicatively connected with said aperture, and said second cup having a wall provided with an aperture through which a fluid may enter said chamber.

18. A subassembly for use in a sampling device, said subassembly comprising a plurality of cup members secured together in a pressed stacked relationship whereby to provide a plurality of chambers separated by partitions formed by bottom walls of the members, each of said partitions being provided with an aperture whereby to connect said chambers so that fluid may flow through the apertures and chambers, a means carried by one of said partitions disposed in the said aperture therein and being adapted for disintegration and mixing with the fluid.

19. A device of the character described comprising a protective outer housing, inner tubular means disposed in said housing, a material highly resistant to heat deterioration disposed in said housing and assisting to fixedly mount said tubular means in said housing, means disposed within the confines of said housing providing an upper chamber communicatively connected with an upper end of said tubular means, and means defining a lower chamber communicatively connected with a lower end of said tubular means for initially receiving a liquid for transmission into said tubular means and upper chamber for solidification therein whereby a sample may be formed having a head and a stem extending therefrom.

20. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an elongated tube, a frangible structure resistant to high temperatures carried by a lower extremity of said tube and having a chamber provided with an entrance through which a hot liquid may enter the chamber and with a vent for communication with the atmosphere, meltable means supported in relation to said entrance whereby at least a portion thereof upon melting by the liquid will be caused to mix therewith as the latter approaches the chamber, and said tube being provided with means for attaching a handle thereto to facilitate dipping of the device into a liquid.

21. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an elongated outer non-metallic tube, a frangible one-piece structure resistant to high temperatures secured substantially within the confines of a lower extremity of said tube and having a chamber provided with an entrance through which a hot liquid may enter the chamber and with a vent located within the confines of said tube, meltable means supported in relation to said entrance whereby at least a portion thereof upon melting by the liquid may be caused to mix therewith as the latter flows into the chamber, and said tube having an upper extremity for attaching a handle thereto to facilitate dipping of the device into a liquid.

22. A device of the kind described, said device comprising an elongated outer tube, a structure resistant to high temperatures secured substantially within the confines of said tube and having a chamber provided with an entrance located within the confines of the tube through which a hot liquid may enter the chamber and with a vent for communication with the atmosphere, meltable means having a cross-dimension less than that of said structure supported in opposed relation to said entrance whereby at least a portion thereof upon melting by the liquid will be caused to mix therewith as the latter approaches the chamber, and said tube having an upper extremity whereby to facilitate dipping of the device into a liquid.

23. A device of the kind described, said device comprising a housing, frangible unevacuated receiving means highly resistant to heat fixedly secured in a lower part of said housing, said frangible means having an inlet adjacent said lower part for freely receiving a liquid having a high temperature, and said housing having an upper part whereby a handle may be attached thereto to facilitate dipping of the device into a liquid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 285,731 9/1883 Brown 220-44 1,979,737 11/1934 Francis 73425.4 2,150,859 3/1939 Gibson 220-44 2,485,492 10/1949 Hubbard et al. 73425.4 2,856,659 10/1958 Obinate 164-89 2,865,204 12/1958 Lamb 73425 2,970,350 2/1961 Feichinger 164146 2,999,121 9/1961 Mead 73359 X 3,201,277 8/1965 Fish 73359 3,218,869 11/1965 Fields et al. 73425.4 3,221,559 12/1965 Miller et al. 73425.4

S. CLEMENT SWISHER, Primary Examiner. 

